Awards

Michal Kempny Awards

Stanley Cup

Season

Team

2017-2018

Washington Capitals

Bio

Michal Kempny Bio

Washington Capitals coach Barry Trotz says teams can never have enough defensemen. That's why the Capitals acquired Kempny in a trade with the Chicago Blackhawks on Feb. 19, 2018, two days after getting an up-close look at the 27-year-old native of the Czech Republic in a 7-1 loss.

Kempny signed with the Blackhawks on May 23, 2016, after a breakout season in the KHL and his first appearance for the Czech Republic at the 2016 IIHF World Championship. He played 50 games for the Blackhawks in his first NHL season, finishing with eight points (two goals, six assists). That was enough to convince Chicago to keep the pending restricted free agent, signing him to a one-year contract on May 27, 2017.

Washington Capitals coach Barry Trotz says teams can never have enough defensemen. That's why the Capitals acquired Kempny in a trade with the Chicago Blackhawks on Feb. 19, 2018, two days after getting an up-close look at the 27-year-old native of the Czech Republic in a 7-1 loss.

Kempny signed with the Blackhawks on May 23, 2016, after a breakout season in the KHL and his first appearance for the Czech Republic at the 2016 IIHF World Championship. He played 50 games for the Blackhawks in his first NHL season, finishing with eight points (two goals, six assists). That was enough to convince Chicago to keep the pending restricted free agent, signing him to a one-year contract on May 27, 2017.

But Kempny's playing time in Chicago declined in 2017-18, and he had seven points (one goal, six assists) before being traded to the Capitals. He settled in as the stay-at-home partner of high-scoring John Carlson and scored his first Stanley Cup Playoff goal in Game 1 of the Eastern Conference Final against the Tampa Bay Lightning. Kempny finished with five points (two goals, three assists) in 24 games during Washington's run to the first Stanley Cup championship since entering the NHL in 1974.

NOTES & TRANSACTIONS

Signed as a free agent by Chicago, May 24, 2016.

Traded to Washington by Chicago for a conditional pick in 2018 NHL Draft, February 19, 2018.